Variable grip exercise bar

ABSTRACT

A variable grip exercise bar is provided. The bar provides for a variety of gripping positions allowing a weightlifter to change gripping positions and accomplish a more thorough, varied work out with one weightlifting exercise bar as opposed to multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a weightlifting exercise bar havinga variety of hand positions and used to lift or pull weights connectedvia a cord to a weight pulley system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many exercise enthusiasts use a weight system to accomplish health andstrength goals. Typically, the weight system employs a stack ofweight(s) attached to a cable. The cable is then strung through one ormore pulleys and has a means to attach to an exercise weightlifting bar.There are typically many different types of exercise weightlifting bars,each having a different geometry or bar configuration. The differentgeometries allow the exerciser to isolate a different muscle or musclegroup during the weight pull or lift. The exerciser can isolatedifferent muscle or muscle groups by changing to a differentweightlifting exercise bar, which has a different geometry or barconfiguration for the pulling or lifting of weight.

Many exercisers and weightlifters use multiple weightlifting exercisebars and other accessories to accomplish a complete workout, whereinthey sufficiently isolate their different muscles or muscle groups.Changing out multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories wastestime and energy, which is used to locate, attach and secure thedifferent weightlifting exercise bars for each desired workout. If asingle bar could meet the muscle isolation goals and ergonomic comfortneeds of a weightlifter, much time and energy would be saved. Further,gyms would need less equipment if one weightlifting exercise barprovided similar advantages compared to multiple weightlifting exercisebars and accessories. Thus, there is a long felt need for alternativesto multiple weightlifting exercise bars and accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention toprovide a variable grip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims. To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and inaccordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, the variable grip exercise bar for attachmentto a weight system is presented herein. The variable grip exercise barcomprises a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar parallel tothe first horizontal bar, a plurality of intermediate bars connectingthe first and second horizontal bars and the first and second horizontalbars each having a medial portion and two lateral portions.

The variable grip exercise bar provides a weight lifter multiple angleswith which to grab the bar. Multiple weight lifting gripping anglesprovides the means for a weightlifter to isolate various muscles ormuscle groups without having to change out weightlifting exercise bars.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are notlimited to, providing variable grip exercise bar, which is portable andfunctions to provide economically a means to achieve multiple lifts andmuscle isolations via multiple grip positions in one variable gripexercise bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top planar view of one embodiment of the instantinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side planar view of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective side and top view of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective side and top view of one embodiment ofthe present invention, similar to FIG. 3; however, FIG. 4 furtherdepicts a two hinged joints for adjustment of the two lateral portionsof the variable grip exercise bar.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention wherein thevariable grip exercise bar is attached to the cables of a weight system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Throughout the following detailed description, the same referencecharacters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures.

FIG. 1 depicts the one embodiment of the variable grip exercise bar forattachment to a weight system. The variable grip exercise bar comprisesa first horizontal bar 10 and a second horizontal bar 20, which isparallel to the first horizontal bar 20. The plurality of intermediatebars 11B, 11C, 12B, 12C, 13B, 13C, 14B, 14C, 15B, 15C, 16B, 16C, 17B,17C and 18 connect the first horizontal bar 10 and second horizontal bar20. Other non-depicted embodiments of the instant invention wouldinclude more and fewer intermediate bars.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the first horizontal bar 10 has a medial portion10A and two lateral portions 10B and 10C. The second horizontal bar 20has a medial portion 20A and two lateral portions 20B and 20C.

In FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofintermediate bars comprise intermediate bars 11B, 11C, 13B, 13C, 15B,15C, 17B, 17C and 18, which provide a perpendicular connection betweenthe first horizontal bar 10 and the second horizontal bar 20. Theplurality of intermediate bars comprise intermediate bars 12B, 12C, 14B,14C, 16B and 16C, which provide a diagonal angle connection between thefirst horizontal bar 10 and the second horizontal bar 20. The term“diagonal angle” is meant to contemplate more angles than theapproximate 45 degree angle, as shown in FIG. 1, and contemplates anynon-perpendicular angle.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an attachment means 30 to secureconnection of the variable grip exercise bar to a cable (not depicted)of the weight system. Although the attachment means depicted in FIG. 1is one attachment means in contact with the intermediate bar 18, theinvention contemplates multiple attachment means at other locations onthe variable grip exercise bar, including attachment means disposed onone or both of the horizontal bars. These multiple attachments meansallow the weightlifter to employ various pulling and lifting geometries.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the variable grip exercise bar whereinthe first horizontal bar 10 is shown in a side planar view. The lateralportion 10B and lateral portion 10C are bent relative to the medialportion 10A. FIG. 2 depicts the two lateral portions, 10B and 10C, andthe one medial portion 10A of the first horizontal bar as one integralpiece. Although not depicted in the side planar view of FIG. 2, thesecond horizontal bar is similarly bent. FIG. 2 also depicts theattachment means 30 comprising a chassis 32 and a ring 31 for attachmentof the cable of the weight system, not depicted. It is contemplatedwithin the scope of this invention that a ring could be attached to thevariable weightlifting exercise bar without the accompanying chassis, aswell as other attachment means, known in the attachment arts.

FIG. 3 depicts a top side perspective view of one embodiment of theinstant invention attached to a cable via the ring and chassis of theattachment means as previously depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows mattedor coated gripping surfaces on the medial and lateral horizontal barsurfaces as well as on the plurality of intermediate bar surfaces.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the instant invention comprising ahinge 22A disposed between the medial portions 10A and 20A of thehorizontal bars 10 and 20 and the lateral portions 10B and 20B. Thehinge allows for adjustment of the angle 24 of the lateral portionrelative to the medial portion. Such adjustment of angle 24 allows aweightlifter to vary or isolate the muscle or muscle groups used duringa particular lift. FIG. 4 also depicts the hinge 22B, which is disposedbetween the medial portions 10A and 20A of the horizontal bars 10 and 20and the lateral portions 10C and 20C and functions similarly to 22A. Thehinges lock the lateral portions of horizontal bars via lockingmechanisms known in the hinge locking arts.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the instant invention attached to theweight system via the cable. In this embodiment, some of the benefits ofthe instant invention are seen. A weightlifter can grip the variablegrip exercise bar in a variety of different hand positions allowing forisolation of one muscle or muscle group. With the instant invention, aweightlifter can address and isolate different groups and does not haveto change out weight lifting exercise bars and accessories to accomplishsuch isolation of muscles or muscle groups.

The instant invention may be comprised of a variety of strong materials,including metals, alloys of metals, graphite, wood, plastics, etc., asknow in the art of strong materials. The matting and coating may be of avariety of patterns or materials as used to assist the exerciser inmaintaining a grip to the weightlifting exercise bar, including,diamond-shaped marks, hash marks, foam, spongy foam, rubber, spongyrubber, etc., as is known in the gripping arts.

It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many ofits attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoingdescription. It is also believed that it will be apparent that variouschanges may be made in the form, geometry, construction, and arrangementof the components without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The formsdescribed are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. Itis the intention of the following claims to encompass and include suchchanges.

What is claimed is:
 1. A variable grip exercise bar for attachment to aweight system, said exercise bar comprising a first horizontal bar, asecond horizontal bar, which is parallel to the first horizontal bar, aplurality of intermediate bars connecting the first and secondhorizontal bars and the first and second horizontal bars each having amedial portion and two lateral portions.
 2. The variable grip exercisebar of claim 1, wherein the plurality of intermediate bars connectingthe first and second horizontal bars are at an angle perpendicular tothe first and second horizontal bars.
 3. The variable grip exercise barof claim 1, wherein the plurality of intermediate bars connecting thefirst and second horizontal bars are at a diagonal angle to the firstand second horizontal bars.
 4. The variable grip exercise bar of claim1, wherein the variable grip further comprises an attachment means tosecure connection of the variable grip exercise bar to a cable of theweight system.
 5. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 4, wherein theattachment means comprises a ring.
 6. The variable grip exercise bar ofclaim 1, wherein the lateral portions of the first and second horizontalbars are bent relative to the medial portion.
 7. The variable gripexercise bar of claim 1, further comprising a hinge between the medialportion and the lateral portions of the first and second horizontalbars.
 8. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 1, wherein the firsthorizontal bar, the second horizontal bar and the plurality ofintermediate bars have matted or coated gripping surfaces.
 9. A variablegrip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system, said exercise barcomprising a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal bar parallel tothe first horizontal bar, a plurality of intermediate bars connectingthe first and second horizontal bars, the first and second horizontalbars each haying a medial portion and two lateral portions and theplurality of intermediate bars connecting the first and secondhorizontal bars at an angle perpendicular to the first and secondhorizontal bars.
 10. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 9, whereinthe variable grip exercise bar further comprises an attachment means tosecure connection of the variable grip exercise bar to a cable of theweight system.
 11. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 10, whereinthe attachment means comprises a ring.
 12. The variable grip exercisebar of claim 9, wherein the lateral portions of the first and secondhorizontal bars are bent relative to the medial portion.
 13. Thevariable grip exercise bar of claim 9, further comprising a hingebetween the medial portion and the lateral portions of the first andsecond horizontal bars.
 14. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 9,wherein the first horizontal bar, the second horizontal bar and theplurality of intermediate bars have matted or coated gripping surfaces.15. A variable grip exercise bar for attachment to a weight system, saidexercise bar comprising a first horizontal bar, a second horizontal barparallel to the first horizontal bar, a plurality of intermediate barsconnecting the first and second horizontal bars, the first and secondhorizontal bars each having a medial portion and two lateral portionsand the plurality of intermediate bars connecting the first and secondhorizontal bars at a diagonal angle relative to the first and secondhorizontal bars.
 16. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 15, whereinthe variable grip exercise bar further comprises an attachment means tosecure connection of the variable grip exercise bar to a cable of theweight system.
 17. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 16, whereinthe attachment means comprises a ring.
 18. The variable grip exercisebar of claim 15, wherein the lateral portions of the first and secondhorizontal bars are bent relative to the medial portion.
 19. Thevariable grip exercise bar of claim 15, further comprising a hingebetween the medial portion and the lateral portions of the first andsecond horizontal bars.
 20. The variable grip exercise bar of claim 15,wherein the first horizontal bar, the second horizontal bar and theplurality of intermediate bars have matted or coated gripping surfaces.